Wolbachia:
- Wolbachia are safe, natural bacteria present in up to 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes.
- However, it is not usually found in the Aedes aegypti mosquito (responsible for transmitting viruses such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya).
- Wolbachia is safe for humans, animals and the environment.
Application in preventing disease transmission
- Introducing Wolbachia into the Aedes aegypti mosquito helps in reducing transmission of the Zika, dengue and chikungunya viruses to people.
- e. People who are bitten by an Aedes aegypti mosquito containing Wolbachia will not be harmed in any way.
Global scenario:
- By introducing the bacteria ‘Wolbachia’, Townsville has been dengue-free since 2014. This is the first time modified mosquitoes have removed dengue virus across an entire city.
- At present, large-scale trials of this approach are under way in various countries. India is testing this approach under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.
